London Metropolitan University

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"London Met" redirects here. For police, see Metropolitan Police Service.

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London Metropolitan University
London Metropolitan University Coat of Arms.png
Coat of Arms of the London Metropolitan University
Former names
 University of North London, London Guildhall University, City of London Polytechnic, Polytechnic of North London, Northern Polytechnic Institute, North-Western Polytechnic, City of London College, Sir John Cass College of Arts and Science
Motto Knowledge in Abundance
Type Public
Established 1 August 2002 (1 August 2002) (origins from 1848)
Endowment £1.32 million (at 31 July 2012)[1]
Budget £127.4 million[2]
Vice-Chancellor Prof. John Raftery
Patron HRH The Prince Andrew, Duke of York[3]
Academic staff
 2,400 (academic & admin)[4]
Students 14,085 (2014/15)[5]
Undergraduates 11,030 (2014/15)[5]
Postgraduates 3,055 (2014/15)[5]
Location
London
,
England, United Kingdom
Campus Holloway, Aldgate and Moorgate
London Underground Station Holloway Road
Aldgate East
Colours Purple, grey
Nickname London Met
Affiliations IET
BCS
EUA
ACU
Million+
Universities UK
IAAPS
Website www.londonmet.ac.uk
London Metropolitan University Logo.jpg

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London Metropolitan University, commonly known as London Met, is a public research university in London, England. The University of North London (formerly the Polytechnic of North London) and London Guildhall University (formerly the City of London Polytechnic) merged in 2002 to create the university.[6][7] With roots going back to 1848, it is one of London's oldest educational institutions. The University has campuses in the City of London and in the London Borough of Islington, a museum, archives and libraries. Special collections include the TUC Library,[8] the Irish Studies Collection and the Frederick Parker Collection.[9]

History

London Metropolitan University was formed on 1 August 2002 by the merger of London Guildhall University and the University of North London. In October 2006, the University opened a new Science Centre, part of a £30m investment in its science department at the North campus close to Holloway Road, with a "Super Lab" claimed to be one of Europe's most advanced science teaching facilities,[10][11][12] and 280 workstations equipped with digital audio visual interactive equipment.

London Guildhall University

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Crosby Hall in 1848, where the Metropolitan Evening Classes for Young Men started

In 1848 Charles Blomfield, the Bishop of London, called upon the clergy to establish evening classes to improve the moral, intellectual and spiritual condition of young men in London. In response, the bishop Charles Mackenzie, who instituted the Metropolitan Evening Classes for Young Men in Crosby Hall, Bishopsgate, London, with student fees at one shilling per session. Subjects on the original curriculum included Greek, Latin, Hebrew, English, History, Mathematics, Drawing and Natural Philosophy. This fledgling college came under royal patronage following the visit of Prince Albert to the classes in 1851. In 1860 the classes moved to Sussex Hall, the former Livery Hall of the Bricklayers' Company, in Leadenhall Street. By this time, some 800 students were enrolled annually.

City of London College's new building at Moorfields in 1883 opened by the then Prince of Wales

In 1861 the classes were reconstituted and named the City of London College. Over the next twenty years, the College was one of the pioneers in the introduction of commercial and technical subjects. The college built new premises in White Street at a cost of £16,000 (contributions were received from Queen Victoria and the Prince of Wales) and were opened in 1881. In 1891 the college joined Birkbeck Institute and the Northampton Institute to form the City Polytechnic by a Charity Commissioners' scheme to facilitate funding for these institutions by the City Parochial Foundation, and to enable the three institutions to work cooperatively. However this attempted federation did not function in practice, as each institution continued to operate more or less independently. The City Polytechnic concept was dissolved in 1906 and the City of London College came under the supervision of London County Council.

Electra House, 84 Moorgate, built by John Belcher in 1902, topped by a sculpture of young Atlases supporting a zodiacal globe by F.W. Pomeroy.

In December 1940 the college's building was destroyed by a German air raid. City of London College subsequently moved into premises at 84 Moorgate in 1944. In 1948, the City of London College celebrated its centenary with a service of thanksgiving addressed by the Archbishop of Canterbury at St Paul's Cathedral. In 1970 the college merged with Sir John Cass College to form the City of London Polytechnic. In 1977 it also became the home of the Fawcett Society library, afterwards the Women's Library.

Under the Further and Higher Education Act 1992 the Polytechnic was awarded University status (having previously awarded degrees of the Council for National Academic Awards). It was renamed London Guildhall University, to demonstrate its links with the City of London and the City's many guilds/livery companies. It was unassociated with the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, based at the Barbican Centre. It was ranked 30th out of the UK's 43 new universities in the 2001 Research Assessment Exercise. In August 2004, in the midst of a contract dispute with former LGU staff following the merger with the University of North London, it was reported that the management of the merged institution had ordered the destruction of the entire print run of a history of the university – London Guildhall University: From Polytechnic to University – authored by Sean Glynn, formerly a senior research fellow in the department of Politics and Modern History; the work had been commissioned by Sir Roderick Floud, the President of London Metropolitan University, when Provost of LGU.[13]

The former LGU campus is now the city campus and is located at the intersection of the City of London financial district and the old East End, near Aldgate East, Tower Hill and Liverpool Street tube stations. There are buildings located at Minories, Jewry Street, Central House, Moorgate, Whitechapel High Street, Calcutta House, Commercial Road and Goulston Street. There is a gymnasium for the use of staff and students at the Whitechapel High St. building,

Calcutta House which was named after the Indian port of Calcutta
The Tower Building with the Deconstructivist Graduate Centre designed by Daniel Libeskind

University of North London

Lua error in Module:Details at line 30: attempt to call field '_formatLink' (a nil value). Founded as the Northern Polytechnic Institute in 1896, it merged in 1971 with the North Western Polytechnic which was established in 1929, to become the Polytechnic of North London. Until the passing of the Education Reform Act 1988, the Polytechnic was under the control of the Inner London Education Authority – part of the then Greater London Council and awarded the degrees of the former Council for National Academic Awards. Under the Further and Higher Education Act 1992, the institution, a pioneer of widening participation and access to higher education, was granted University status and the right to award its own degrees. Following the merger with London Guildhall University, London Metropolitan University became the largest unitary university in Greater London.

The former UNL campus is now the North campus and is located on Holloway Road, near Holloway Road and Highbury & Islington tube stations.

Dalai Lama Honorary Doctorate controversy

In May 2008, London Metropolitan University presented the 14th Dalai Lama with an Honorary Doctorate of Philosophy,[14] for "promoting peace globally".[15] This move caused controversy among the Chinese public and the overseas Chinese community,[16] who view the Dalai Lama as partly responsible for the 2008 unrest in Tibet.[17] As a result, Chinese migration agents had been reported to "boycott" London Metropolitan University in advising clients who wish to study in the UK.[18] The University's Vice-Chancellor, Brian Roper, issued an apology letter to the Chinese Foreign Ministry via embassy officials in July.[19] In an interview with the Global Times, a worker at a Chinese study abroad agency suggested that the University could repair the offence of the honours by refusing speaking platforms to Tibetan independence groups, such as the University's own "Free Tibet Society".[20] The University has also faced criticism for offering free scholarships specifically reserved for students from the Tibetan exile community in India, Nepal and the West, in a case of non-merit "racial quotas".[21]

Student number controversy

A demonstration against job cuts in Jan 2009

In July 2008 it was reported that a financial crisis was looming for the University. London Met had been misreporting data on student drop-outs for several years and, consequently, the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) was proposing to claw back at least £15 million for the overpayment in 2008-9.[22]

News of the crisis led to a demonstration of staff and students outside the universities Tower Building in January 2009. They were calling for the vice-chancellor to be sacked and standing against possible job cuts.

In February 2009 the figure of overpayment was revised to £56 million by HEFCE, who were seeking to recover the money.[23] Local newspaper the Islington Gazette reported on the high stress levels among staff, including those on long-term sick leave. Alan Pike, a UNISON official, was quoted as saying "In the past two months, we have had about 20 support staff come to us with stress."[citation needed]

On 19 March 2009, in response to the crisis, vice-chancellor Brian Roper resigned his position with immediate effect but continued to receive his salary until December 2009.[24] Controversially, he received a series of bonuses during the period when the University was returning inaccurate data to HEFCE.[citation needed]

On 29 April 2009, the University and College Union (UCU) announced that members at London Metropolitan University voted overwhelmingly in favour of strike action and 'action short of a strike' against the loss of at least 550 jobs.[25]

In May 2009 Alfred Morris, former vice-chancellor of the University of the West of England and University of Wales, Lampeter, was appointed interim vice-chancellor.[26]

The government announced in May 2009 that there would be an independent inquiry, exploring the possibility that HEFCE had colluded with London Met by failing to query implausibly low drop-out rates.[27] It concluded in November 2009 and was reported to cast responsibility to Brian Roper, other senior administrators and the Board of Governors. Following conclusion of the report, the chair of HEFCE called on "senior staff" and the entire Board of Governors to resign, noting that HEFCE was not convinced that the University's management could effectively safeguard public funds.[28] After the deadline indicated by HEFCE chief executive Alan Langlands had passed, there were ruminations among staff and ministers that HEFCE could withdraw funding, effectively forcing the University to close.[29]

A report commissioned by the University, published in November 2009, found that Roper had "the major responsibility and culpability" for the financial situation: Roper and some members of the executive were aware that the University had been applying its own interpretation of funding rules on student drop-outs – rather than the funding council’s – since 2003, but took no action. The University’s board of governors and audit committee had an oversight role, which made them ultimately "accountable for a financial failure of this magnitude" and meant that they "must take overall responsibility".[30]

2011 course changes

In early 2011, London Metropolitan University announced an overhaul of undergraduate education for students entering courses in 2012. This included a reduction in the number of courses from 557 to 160. The announcement also signalled a move from semester-long to year-long modules, and thirty weeks of teaching, a gain of six weeks on the current average. The University argues that the longer learning time will help increase the opportunity for development and guidance before students move to final examinations.[31] There will be a transition to this new course offering in 2011/12 and this has led to applicants for some courses being contacted and offered alternative programmes.[32]

Proposed alcohol-free zones

In April 2012 the University was reported to be considering creating alcohol-free zones and events to enable Muslim students (who form 20% of the student population) to take part more comfortably.[33][34] This provoked criticism from the University's Islamic societies,[35] and other organisations such as the Muslim Council of Britain, but positive comments from representatives of the National Union of Students and the Federation of Student Islamic Societies.[36]

UK Home Office/Border Agency action, and consequences

On 16 July 2012 the UK Border Agency of the UK Home Office suspended the University's "highly-trusted status" with the Border Agency, a status required in order for the University to be eligible to sponsor both new student visa applications as well as existing student visas, for foreign students from outside of the European Union and the European Economic Area (or Switzerland). The University was one of three institutions to have such a status suspended.[37][38]

On 30 August 2012, the University's highly trusted status was revoked,[39][40] revoking the University's right to sponsor new visa applications for non-EU/EEA foreign students, as well as revoking the existing visas of the University's pre-existing non-European foreign students, causing them to be excluded from the University, and leaving thousands with the possibility of being forced to leave the country, unless places with alternative institutions and sponsors are secured.[41][42]

The Immigration Minister, Damian Green, cited a number of reasons for the decision, including the discovery that more than a quarter of the students in the test sample did not in fact have leave to remain in the UK, that the University did not have and could not provide sufficient proof of English-language proficiency standards for some of its students, and the fact that the University was unable to confirm the attendance of its students, in some 57% of the sampled cases.[43]

In September the university announced it was beginning legal action against the border agency over the licence issue.[44]

In April 2013 the university regained its licence to sponsor international students for Tier 4 visas.[45]

The High Court case against Home Office was settled in October 2013 after both parties reached an undisclosed settlement. Both parties have refused to comment on the specifics of the settlement. The last minute withdrawal of the case meant that the judicial review against the Home Office, which had been scheduled to start on 17 October 2013, would not proceed any further.[46]

Campuses

The Graduate Centre and the Clock Tower Building
The Learning Centre which houses the North Campus Library
Law Building at Goulston Street, City Campus

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The main university campus is at Holloway in Islington. There are smaller campuses at Aldgate and Moorgate in the City of London. Aldgate houses the Sir John Cass Faculty of Art, Architecture and Design and Moorgate is home to the London Guildhall Faculty of Business and Law.

Academic profile

London Metropolitan offers about 160 degree courses,[47] to 14,085 students[5] (including 7,000 overseas students from 155 countries).[7] The University also maintains several offices abroad in Beijing, Chennai, Delhi, Dhaka, Lagos and Lahore.[48] The University's operations are overseen by a board of governors comprising external members and senior administrative and academic staff.

Faculties and schools

File:Sir John Cass Building London Met.jpg
The former Sir John Cass College site at 31 Jewry Street. The Sir John Cass Foundation offices are on the premises which are leased to the University by the Foundation.

The University comprises four faculties each of which is subdivided into a number of schools. Research is conducted in a number of faculty-based research institutes and centres.

  • Sir John Cass Faculty of Art, Architecture and Design (otherwise known as "The Cass")
  • School of Art
  • School of Architecture
  • School of Design
  • Guildhall Faculty of Business and Law
  • School of Business
  • School of Management
  • School of Law
  • Faculty of Life Sciences and Computing
  • School of Human Sciences
  • School of Psychology
  • School of Computing
  • Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities
  • School of Social Sciences
  • School of Social Professions
  • School of Media, Culture and Communication

Scholarships

The University invests over £700,000 annually in its scholarship programme to help academically excellent students as well as students with outstanding achievements in various sports disciplines, such as hockey, tennis and basketball.[49] The University gives £1000 for any of its undergraduate international students who achieve 'A' grade marks. The University also offers postgraduate scholarships, a range of full tuition scholarships, including some scholarships with free accommodation. Scholarships are offered in conjunction the BBC World Service, International Student House and Mahatma Gandhi Foundation.[citation needed] The University has several student exchange programmes with academic institutions in the US and Europe, with financial support for those who participate through the Erasmus programme.

Rankings and reputation

Rankings
QS[50]
(2015/16, national)		 59
QS[51]
(2015/16, world)		 701+
Complete[52]
(2016, national)		 126
The Guardian[53]
(2016, national)		 118
Times/Sunday Times[54]
(2016, national)		 123

In the past, the University refused to participate in newspaper league tables on the grounds that Universities should be assessed by the UK Government and not (private) newspapers. The new management reversed this policy and in the 2013 rankings (published in 2012), the University was placed 118th out of 120 universities in the Guardian University Guide 2013.[55] In the 2011 Institutional Audit, the Quality Assurance Agency expressed "reasonable confidence" in the "academic standards" of the University's awards.[56] In the 2008 Research Assessment Exercise, London Metropolitan was ranked equal 107th out of 132 institutions by the Times Higher Education's RAE league table.[57][58] The University has not fared well in the most recent national league tables (2014/2015) and has placed last in each respective league table, Guardian University Guide 2015 (116th),[59] Complete University Guide 2015 (123rd)[60] and The Times and Sunday Times University League Table 2014 (121st).[61]

The architecture department was ranked 18th and 20th in 2011 and 2012 in the Guardian University League Tables.[62] American Studies placed 20th, 17th and 18th in 2011, 2012 and more recently, at the newly published Complete University Guide 2013.[63] The law school ranked 87th in 2011 at the Complete University Guide and rose to 85th in 2012, 75th in 2013 and most recently placed 70th out of 98 law schools at the 2014 Complete University Guide. It is also ranked 58th out of 96 in Research Assessment.[64]

The university also entered the QS World University Rankings of top universities in the world for the first time placing at 651–700 bracket.[65]

Student life

Student union

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Main article: London Metropolitan University Students' Union

The university student union is known as "MetSU", and is affiliated with the National Union of Students[66] and is run by an executive committee with a student council, and the board of trustees, setting overall policy.

There are two main social facilities: The Rocket complex on Holloway Road at the North campus and the Hub Bar on Goulston Street at the City campus, both of which host regular University and external events.[67] The 'Hub' Bar was closed as a result of cuts in funding.

Media

Student media at London Metropolitan University include:

  • Verve Magazine – launched in 2009 by journalism students; articles about the University, general politics, entertainment, lifestyle, fashion and sports.[68]
  • Verve Radio – launched in 2011 as a platform for student thoughts and opinions; regular shows hosted by student DJs.[69]
  • Dictum – launched in 2010 by law students; articles on law, politics and international relations; notable guest writers include Supreme Court Judge Robert Walker and writer, blogger and barrister Tim Kevan.[70]
  • LMBS Times – launched in 2009; articles on business, finance and careers advice.

In fiction

The 1997 Mike Leigh film Career Girls is about a reunion between two women who shared a flat six years earlier whilst studying at the Polytechnic of North London.[71]

Notable people

Notable alumni

Arts and media

Business, marketing and law

Politics and public affairs

Royalty

Sciences

Sports

Notable staff

References

  1. ↑ http://www.londonmet.ac.uk/media/london-metropolitan-university/london-met-documents/professional-service-departments/finance/annual-reports/Annual-report-and-accounts-for-2011:12.pdf
  2. ↑ http://www.londonmet.ac.uk/media/london-metropolitan-university/london-met-documents/professional-service-departments/finance/annual-reports/annual_report_and_accounts_for_2012_13.pdf
  3. ↑ A new patron April 2013 Staff Newsletter
  4. ↑ Facts and Figures – from official website
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  6. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  8. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  9. ↑ http://www.frederick-parker-foundation.org%7CThe Fredrick Parker Collection
  10. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  11. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  12. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  13. ↑ "Book pulped at London Met", Times Higher Education Supplement, 27 August 2004, http://www.timeshighereducation.co.uk/news/book-pulped-at-london-met/190892.article. Retrieved 24 October 2014.
  14. ↑ London Metropolitan University – Dalai Lama visits, Times Higher Education Supplement 29 May 2008
  15. ↑ UK University honours Dalai Lama, BBC 20 May 2008
  16. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  17. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  18. ↑ 多家留学中介表示抵制挺"藏独"英国高校 (Several overseas study agencies say they will boycott British University that supports Tibetan independence), Global Daily, 13 June 2008
  19. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  20. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  21. ↑ http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2008-07/08/content_6826398.htm
  22. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  23. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  24. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  25. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  26. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  27. ↑ Melanie Newman, "Government announces inquiry into London Met crisis", Times Higher Education, 21 May 2009
  28. ↑ Lucy Hodges and Richard Garner, "University accused of £36m student scam" The Independent, 22 November 2009
  29. ↑ Lucy Hodges and Richard Garner, "London Met warned that it could be closed", The Independent, 7 December 2009
  30. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  31. ↑ London Metropolitan University, "New directions at London Met", New directions at London Met, 6 May 2011
  32. ↑ John Morgan, "London Met applicants trapped in limbo by course closures and Ucas deadline", Times Higher Education, 5 May 2011
  33. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  34. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  35. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  36. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  37. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  38. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  39. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  40. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  41. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  42. ↑ http://www.govtoday.co.uk/education/40-higher-education/12446-london-metropolitan-university%7C London Metropolitan's visa licence revoked
  43. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  44. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  45. ↑ http://www.londonmet.ac.uk/news/news-releases/2013-press-releases/international-sponsor-status-restored.cfm
  46. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  47. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  48. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  49. ↑ Merit scholarships – London Metropolitan University website
  50. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  51. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  52. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  53. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  54. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  55. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  56. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  57. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  58. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  59. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  60. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  61. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  62. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  63. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  64. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  65. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  66. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  67. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  68. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  69. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  70. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  71. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  72. ↑ 72.0 72.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  73. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  74. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  75. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  76. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  77. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  78. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  79. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  80. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  81. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  82. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.

External links

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